The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-17
to Home Company, if Organized. with
100000 Capital, in Fifteen Days.
A Report ON How the Natural Gas Bust
ness Is Conducted in Pittsburg.
The Council Decides to Meet Again on Next
Monday Night, When Something Definite
Regarding the Franchise Will BE Done.

of gas under the control of the people met in the
Mayors office yesterday afternoon, All the in
terests named in the committee were well repre-
sented although the talking was confined to a
few. Three hours spent in discussion with
out accomplishing anything, because there was
continually an anicable difference between law
and sentiment. Law said at the outset that the
scheme was impracticable and illegal, but senti-
ment thought the people ought to have every
chance to control the natural gas supply, hence
some plan doubt could be devised by which
the end in view could be secured. The ideas
went around in circle They all in keep
ing of the committee within half hour, but
sentiment would get in its place and then law
would again have to canvass the whole affair
Judge Claypool told the committee that even if
the scheme could be carried out Ie-
gally something must be done to
stimulate the people into subscribing to
such fund was proposed. In matters of
this kind patriotism could not be relied on, if no
advantage is to be obtained. Whoever invests
money in enterprise expects a return and the
people who would probably enter into this
scheme enthusiastically could supply but
small part of the capital required. Men of great
wealth, who could give So. 900 or $4,000 would
be the last to subscribe. The ability to get the
money necessary to construct the plant. buy the
wells, and pay operating expenses. and the law,
against the proposition. He did not see
what could be done except in prevailing the
Council to protect the interests of the city in
whatever ordinance is to be passed. 1t should
be an ordinance free to all, but carrying with it
limitations that would enable no corporation to
take the people by the throat. The main ques
ton is how the city best control the gas sup-
ply.
Judge Holman knew of no law by which
incorporation such as contemplated could be
perfected. At first thought he of differ
emit opinion, and while he favored the Tomlnson
Hall resolutions to their general expressions,
he did not think the plan feasible. He knew it
was not legal The shing needed is prompt
action. The companies that want to pipe gas
into the city alert adversaries. and in deal
ing with them every position should be care
fully guarded. Kokomo Marion, Muucie,
Noblesville and Anderson are alive to the rela-
tons of Indianapolis to the gas field. 1t will not
be long before corporations will have pipe lines
leading out of those places and have this city at
a disadvantage. Therefore the Council here
should be prompt in its measures, but careful in
placing such restrictions In an ordinance that
will not place the people at the mercy of corpora
tons. 1t will require ninety days to secure stock
popular subscription. This is too much
time to waste when the practicability of the
scheme Is not certain.
ExMayor McMaster said that it is settled
that this city cannot enter into eE terprise of
this kind. She has exceeded her Indebtedness.
Nor can any corporation, as proposed, be organ
lied. AS the resolutions would leave the ap-
poiutment of commissioners by the Judges of
the court this of itself would be illegal, FOR
every organization has right to choose its own
controlling board. He suggested that the enter
prise might be carried on in the form of trust,
but to the legality of the trust plan he was
not certain. The trustees might apply for the
privilege of using the streets and alleys. and
again the law would perhaps step IN and make
this method doubtful
passed by the Tomlinson Hall meeting had
served their purpose. They were presented and
acted on merely to call attention to the question.
It was not expected that anything entirely legal
could be reached in the way of a corporation
corporations understood. 1t was contem-
plated to have the organization controlled by
trustees. who could consider the legal aspects Of
the en- terprise. He was much opposed to any
corporation outside of the people piping gas into
the city that rather than have ordinance
passed in its interest he would prefer to
wait until the Legislature met. The city, for
sixty years, has got along without natural gas.
Other cities are doing. and will be compelled to
do, without natural gas. There is no hurry, if
the people in the end can escape the tolls of
monopoly But he believed the legal gentlemen
of the committee could devise some plan by
which the people could accomplish their
scheme. Ten days will be sufficient to
show whether q popular subscription of
$500. 900 be raised In the meantime
the Council ought to do nothing. He represent
ed that the people were aroused on this question,
and he knew of 500, 900 that could be secured at
T.
the remark that his experience was different
He found the people to be ready and anxious for
prompt action by the Council
Irwin Robbins favored the popular subscrip-
ton plan, and gave a lot of figures TO bear out
his assertions. He thought the people ought to
have time TO try their scheme, and if it failed he
was willing to let the foreign companies come in
under a restrictive ordinance. But in this COM
petition should be open to all. He placed his
proposition in the form of a resolution, which
read as follows:
Az,
ordinance granting the exclusive right for
years of the and alleys home company sub
ect to the limitation as to the maximum charges for
fuel be embodied in said ordinance: provided that
if said home company fails to $500. 900 CAPT
tai in fifteen days the said ordinance shall be open
the acceptance of any foreign company subject to
limitations to charges.
In support of this 81. G: Allen. Thomas NJ.
Gruele and others spoke. They regarded it as
more than probable that plans could be devised
by which popular organization could be per-
fected. The resolution will be called up at the
meeting of the committee tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime the lawyers are to try to find
some means by which the people can subscribe
their money to form a company that will meet
legal requirements.
The Council Committees Report
At the meeting of the Council, last night but
little attention given to the natural gas
question, and the gentlemen in the lobby who
are supposed to be interested in the character
of the ordinance to be passed were few. It is
the feeling among councilmen that they should
proceed as rapidly possible in this matter.
and while they expected ordinance from the
committed last evening, there was desire to
have it ready by next Monday night.
The Mayor, during the absence of
the subcommittee its tour of inspection, par
TALLY drafted ordinance that will be consid-
cred by the full committee on Thursday even
ing Last night the subcommittee reported to
the Council that its visit to Pittsburg and Ale
gheny City had been fruitful in information rel
alive to pipe lines and their management The
results of their observations detailed at
length.
There are restrictions to the number of
companies in either of said cities but it it is a
free-for all race and the price is regulated wholly
by competition. The first experience of compa-
MES in laying mains in these cities was attended
with the loss of many lives and hundreds of